Only possible thing I can think of is Adkins was struggling to convince better players to come to Southampton, and this change would help their recruitment over the rest of the window. For this far fetched idea to be feasible, means they would have to be planning a serious splurge in Jan, which is a risky move when you're bottom half and a real risk for the drop. Either way, the directors are clueless

"All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher." - Ambrose Bierce

Langeveldt: I of course blame their parents.. and unchecked immigration!GingerFurball: He's Austrian, they tend to produce the odd ****ed up individualBurgey: Be careful dealing with neighbours whose cars don't have wheels but whose houses do.Uppercut: Maybe I just need better strippers

I wonder if they're trying to take a page out of QPR's book tbh, and give Adkins the Warnock treatment. Long term future and image of the club etc... Still totally illogical given the context, but it's the most sensible explanation I can think of.

"The PFA does not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-football matters."- Gordon Taylor in 2009 following Marlon King's release after a prison sentence for sexual assault & ABH